FAMILY FARE

By Laurel Graeber

Published: May 28, 2004

The Other Sides Of Seuss

SoHo has recently become the habitat for some extraordinarily rare species, including the Tufted Gustard, the Two-Horned Drouberhannis, the Blue Green Abelard and the Andulovian Grackler. These odd animals, some liberated from a chicken coop in upstate New York, have hardly ever been glimpsed in Manhattan or, for that matter, anywhere else. And to think that I saw them on Broome Street.

Such wild creatures originated not in some far-flung continent but in the imagination of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Carved in wood, these 1930's sculptures are in ''The Art of Dr. Seuss,'' a show at the Animazing Gallery.

Dr. Seuss the sculptor? This display also features Dr. Seuss the advertising genius, Dr. Seuss the magazine illustrator, Dr. Seuss the political cartoonist and Dr. Seuss the Surrealist, as well as sketches from his beloved children's books. (The Cat in the Hat will greet children at the show tomorrow through Monday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Much of the art has never been exhibited before.

''He was a private person and not a very confident man,'' said Heidi Leigh, the gallery's director. ''He knew that with his children's books and in the advertising arena he was successful. I think he didn't dare to expose himself as a fine artist.''

An example of his self-effacement is ''Man Who Made an Unwise Purchase,'' a colorful painting of a Chaplinesque fellow carrying on his shoulder a huge, yellow, unmistakably Seussian bird. ''What the painting is about is the 18th publisher, who bought his first book,'' Ms. Leigh said. That tale, ''And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,'' had been rejected by 17 others.

But Dr. Seuss was self-assured in his political views. Complementing his ad campaign for bug repellent is a 1942 illustration of Uncle Sam administering ''mental insecticide'' to a startled man, blasting a ''racial prejudice bug'' out of the man's ear.

The show even includes a bit of bawdy doggerel and a few nudes. But don't worry: Dr. Seuss's illustrations for his book ''The Seven Lady Godivas'' are no more anatomically correct than Barbie dolls. But they are much more Rubenesque and have something Mattel's creations don't: a sense of humor.

The world offers many ways to make a living. But few people have résumés listing Rob Williams's skill: he makes a bologna sandwich, including mustard and garnish, in less than three minutes. With his feet.

Mr. Williams is paid for this, but you'll probably be relieved to hear that he is not employed by a New York deli. He is, however, performing the feat on a New York stage as part of ''Idiots Adios: The Flaming Idiots' Very, Very, Very, Very, Very Last Show'' at the New Victory Theater. There Mr. Williams, known in his idiot persona as Gyro, and his fiery fellows Pyro (Jon O'Connor) and Walter (Kevin Hunt) are ending a 20-year-career as jugglers, contortionists, gymnasts, magicians and all-around comedians.

''With 'Friends' and 'Frasier' ending, we figured it was time for another comedy giant to go,'' Mr. Williams said. Quickly adding that he was kidding, he explained that the trio was, well, burned out. He invoked another famous comedy: ''We wanted to go out like 'Seinfeld,' at the height of our success.''

This show, which Mr. Williams described as a kind of greatest hits, includes the Swami Walter routine, in which Mr. Hunt eats three-foot balloons, and the Spanky Carmichael routine, in which Mr. O'Connor does coin tricks. They also do strange things with leaf blowers, ladders, straitjackets and, of course, flames.

He said the Idiots, whose name derives from a Monty Python bit, were of the same school as Penn and Teller, though with more sketch comedy. They also involve the audience in their show. ''It reminds me a little of 'Fear Factor,' '' Mr. Williams said. ''You're getting people to do things they'd never thought they'd do. Although it's not as gross and scary.''

Just be prepared to eat that bologna sandwich.

''Idiots Adios,'' at the New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, (212) 239-6200. Tonight at 7; tomorrow at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday at noon and 5 p.m.; Monday at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets: $10, $25 and $40.

Dabbling in the Deep

During most cruises, sea animals are in the waves or below the surface. But in the one offered tomorrow by the South Street Seaport Museum, they will be honored guests on deck.

In a new family adventure, ''Program Afloat: Explore Marine Ecology Aboard the Schooner Pioneer,'' a marine educator will explain the ecosystem as visitors enjoy a two-hour sail. Because the harbor is an estuary -- where fresh and saltwater meet -- it offers a rich variety of species. Children will be able to examine and hold creatures like sea stars and horseshoe and spider crabs.

''It's an 1885 schooner, so it's really fun for kids,'' said Debra Wexler, the museum's director of public programs. ''Whoever goes is invited to help raise the sail.''

And if you miss the boat tomorrow, the seaport plans to repeat the program each month through August.

''Program Afloat,'' tomorrow, June 26, July 31 and Aug. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. on the Schooner Pioneer. Meet at the Visitors Center at Pier 16, Fulton and South Streets, South Street Seaport. Fee: $30; students and 65+, $20; 12 and under, $15. Reservations advised: (212) 748-8735.